Interview Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor. Masrour Barzani KRG Prime Minister
Exclusive Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know Abu Jihad al-Muhajir is the highest-profile alleged Islamic State official captured by Syrian government forces since US troops withdrew from the country in April. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation. Jordan
US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Mattis departure risks US policy void as Yemen pact falls apart Day-to-day responsibility for managing the Yemen conflict is being passed on to John Rood, the Pentagon’s No. 3 official. Saudi Arabia
Varying head counts of US forces in Iraq stir controversy It's hard to nail down how many US troops are in Iraq, but some Iraqi political factions say any number is too high. Iraq
Congress in no hurry to act as Palestinians reject security aid A new law has unintentionally ended security assistance for the Palestinian Authority, and Congress is in no rush to fix it. Palestine
Ankara set to boost naval posture with major exercise Turkey may be planning an ambitious air-naval military drill that would span three seas. Palestine
Intel: How Trump used his missile defense rollout to take shots at Iran President Trump chastised Iran for attempting to launch a satellite earlier this week and pledged the United States would take a harder line on Iran. Legacy: Gulf
New IDF chief faces multiple challenges Israel’s new IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi faces multiple challenges on nearby fronts, further away and also vis-a-vis his boss, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Privatization of Turkish military factory draws strong criticism The lease of the Turkish military’s prominent tank factory to the private company BMC has stirred fierce criticism. Qatar
Sisi attempts to breathe new life into Egyptian security services Increasing operations by militants in Egypt's Western Desert have led to personnel changes in the military and security forces. Egypt
Congress plans new challenge to president’s war powers amid Syria pullout Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., is looking for allies on her latest push to end the 2001 war authorization that the Donald Trump administration uses to fight terrorism in the Middle East. Syria
Saudi Arabia gets US missile defense boost despite Khashoggi uproar The State Department has approved a $195 million sale to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s missile defenses. Saudi Arabia
Ankara seeking Russian permission for use of Syrian airspace Ankara’s primary lesson learned from its two operations in northern Syria is not to enter Syria without air superiority. Syria
Memo from Israel: Game still on in Syria Israel's most recent airstrikes against positions in Syria was a declaration of intent, to signal to all parties that the game continues and the rules have not changed. Israel
